Lenovo G530 15.4-inch notebook review specs, price

The Lenovo G530 Laptop Computer featurs 15.4-inch widescreen display and running on an Intel Pentium Dual-Core T3400 , this laptop is convenience at your fingertips. They may not look as beautiful as Apple computers, but the G530 sure packs a punch.

This small guy is priced at just $450.00 is one of the most powerfil laptops you can find in that price range. The Value line currently only includes the G530, a 15.4” notebook offering either an Intel Pentium dual-core or Core 2 Duo processor and Intel integrated graphics.
With a price just below $500, the G530 is very inexpensive for a 15.4-inch laptop system. Even with its low price tag, its features are too restricted as one might expect as long as your aren't planning to do much beyond basic computing (internet, productivity and light multimedia).

Lenovo G530 notebook Specifications

* Intel Pentium Dual-Core T3400 (2.16GHz, 1MB L2 cache, 667MHz FSB)
* Microsoft Genuine Windows Vista Home Premium (w/ SP1)
* 15.4-inch glossy 16:10 display (1280x800)
* Intel Graphics Media Accelerator 4500MHD
* 3GB DDR2 667MHz RAM
* 250GB 5400RPM HDD
* SuperMulti DVD+/-RW Optical Drive
* Broadcom WiFi (802.11b/g), 10/100 Ethernet, Modem
* 6-Cell 11.1V 53WHr Battery
* Limited 1-year standard parts and labor warranty
* Dimensions: 14.1 x 10.1 x 1.45
* Weight: 5lbs 13.9oz
* Price as configured: $499

Pros

* Excellent build quality
* Up to 4 GB of RAM
* Comfortable keyboard
* Very affordable and great for the price.
* Simple, let good looking design

Cons

* No HDMI or eSATA
* The touchpad button makes a weird noise
* The processor is a pentium and not a Core 2 Duo.

Build and Design

The design of the Lenovo G530 is simple yet stylish, having a black MacBook-ish appearance when the notebook is closed. The edges are rounded off and the lid has a matte black finish that is smooth to the touch.



The chassis is constructed entirely of plastic, but where most budget notebooks might feel flexible or flimsy, the G530 feels like a solid block of sturdy material.
To upgrade components the G530 has easy access panels to the memory and CPU, wireless card, and hard drive on the bottom of the notebook. No components, including the processor, had “warranty void if removed” stickers, making it very easy to handle upgrades or repairs in the future.

Keyboard and Touchpad

The keyboard is easy to type on, sharing the same comfortable and durable feel as my ThinkPad T60 keyboard and only differing in layout. Individual key action is smooth with no audible click when pressed.



The G530 uses a Synaptics touchpad that has good sensitivity and no discernable lag during use. The surface texture is a smooth matte finish that is easy to slide a finger across even when moist. The touchpad buttons are large and positioned directly under the touchpad.

Display

The 15.4” LCD is above average compared to most 15.4-16” notebooks, with bright and vibrant colors and decent viewing angles.



The graphics do suffer slightly on the Lenovo G530, but most users probably won't notice. the 15.4-inch wide LCD display is fairly standard with its 1280x800 resolution. The Intel GMA 4500M graphics are a step below the 4500MHD that would support high definition video playback. Really not an issue though as most budget laptops won't be used for this or 3D gaming.

Battery

The Lenovo G530 uses a moderately sized 6-cell battery that gives modest performance when not plugged into the wall. In our tests with screen brightness at 70%, wireless active, and Vista set to the "balanced" profile the system stayed on for 3 hours and 29 minutes. A better processor with enhanced low-power modes might give increased battery time, possibly extending battery life beyond 4 hours.